Government Cautions Taxpayers Against Fake e-PAN Download Emails

With more financial services shifting online, people increasingly rely on emails and digital messages to access important documents and updates. At the same time, the rise in digital communication has also increased the misleading messages to trap users. The PIB Fact Check unit has flagged an email claiming to provide e-PAN card downloads as fake, highlighting concerns around unauthorised messages related to PAN services.

PIB Flags Fake e-PAN Download Email

The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check unit has identified the email as fake, stating that the communication is not genuine. In a post on X, PIB Fact Check wrote, “Have you also received an email asking you to download the e-PAN Card? This Email is Fake.”

It cautioned people against responding to emails, links, calls or SMS seeking financial or other sensitive information. It said such requests should not be trusted and directed users to the Income Tax Department’s official portal for reporting phishing emails.

The fact-check unit also shared a screenshot of the email being circulated. The email, carrying the subject line “Download e-PAN Card Online: A Step-by-Step Guide,” appeared to encourage recipients to download their e-PAN card and included a link within the message. PIB marked the email as “FAKE” in the image to indicate that it was not an official communication.

The post further provided a link to the Income Tax Department’s webpage, where taxpayers can report phishing emails and other suspicious communications related to income tax services.

What To Do If You Receive A Suspicious Tax Email

According to the Income Tax Department’s website, the department does not seek detailed personal information through email. It also does not send emails asking taxpayers to share PINs, passwords or similar access credentials for bank accounts, credit cards or other financial accounts.

The website further states that taxpayers who receive emails or come across websites impersonating the Income Tax Department can report them by forwarding the email or website URL to webmanager@incometax.gov.in.

As phishing attempts targeting taxpayers continue to surface, it is important to verify the authenticity of emails related to income tax services. To reduce the risk of online fraud, taxpayers should avoid clicking on suspicious links, opening unknown attachments or sharing personal and financial information through unverified communications.